How long do germs live?

Question

I have, for some time, been terrified by a public health advert about salmonela which shows how easily you can spead bacteria from raw chicken around your home. I am now quite paranoid about washing my hands when I have touch raw meat, but have reached a point where I think it is impossible to avoid some 'germs' being left behind. How long do the residual germs survive on a surface like a stainless steel kitchen sink?

Answer 1

The word germs can be used to describe all types of pathogen (bacteria, virus, protozoa, fungus) but Salmonella (as you mention) is a bacteria.

Bacteria do not live very long, but they also reproduce very rapidly, and so they can remain on your hand for a long time since the ones which die can be easily replaced.

You should not be too concerned about the spread of germs, and there is no need to be excessively worried. Germs are (mostly) living things like us, and as such are not invincible. The best way of destroying a germ is by heat. The salmonella bacteria for example can not survive after 60 C. And using basic soap and warm water to wash your hands before and after cooking is enough to prevent germs accumulating in any serious numbers on your hands.

You can also reduce Salmonella by employing good preventative techniques such as defrosting a chicken thoroughly before use and purchasing organic chicken that has to be reared in higher quality living conditions and thus reducing the spread of the bacteria between animals.

Answer 2

Bad news for ya. Some germs can actually go to sleep with out water and be revived later on. For an example they are doing research on Jurassic germs that may aid in medicine now days. Only way to research them is to bring them back to life! But there is good news, some germs as soon as they are exposed to oxygen they die because they can't stand the oxygen rich environment Good luck!.

Answer 3

Use antibacterial hand wash after preparing food/ toilet use etc. Buy cleaning sponges (x20 for a quid) and dispose of after a couple of uses. Ensure all chicken is cooked thoroughly. Only buy lion brand eggs. Wash all utensils in hot water. Don't become an obsessive compulsive. I'd bleach the sink once in a while aswell and be more worried about spreading germs around via hand contact hence the washing your hands with antibacterial handwash advice!!

Answer 4

ecol is a strong germ?????

Answer 5

Hi. Science has discovered that bacteria do not live long on a wooden cutting board and live much longer on non-reactive surfaces like plastic. I do not know about stainless steel. Use wood for meat cutting.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

if you live in a germ free envirinment you will not build up any resistance to them , just clean up the preperation area and wash all dish cloths and towels often.

Answer 8

first of all, not all raw chicken contains salmonella. the chicken would have had to have contracted it before it died, and even then, the meat is tested before it's shipped to your grocery store. secondly, the lifespan of germs depends on the type of bacteria - bacteria live longer if they're in their optimal temperature range (among other things) for survival, and that optimal temperature range varies from species to species.

Answer 9

until you get the cleaning products to kill them so go to the shop and clean your house

Answer 10

normal life span of bacteria(20 min....... )